Dry-kiln.



N41. 699 839. Patented May l3, l902.'

E. GERRARD.

DRY KILN.

(Application filed Apr. 3, 1901.)

(No Model.)

WITNESSES. INVENTOI? 6 Edward Gerrard,

UNiTED STATES A PATENT OFFICE.

EDlVARD GERRARD, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO THE NATIONAL DRY KILN COMPANY, OF INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA, A

CORPORATION OF INDIANA. V

DRY-KILN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 699,839, dated May 13, 1902.

Application filed April 3,1901. Serial No. 54,111. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, EDWARD GERRARD, a citizen of the United States, residing at Indianapolis, in the county of Marion and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dry-Kilns, of which the following is a specification.

My said invention relates to that class of dry-kilns commonly employed in the drying or seasoning of lumber and is an example of what is known as the moist-air type of kilns.

The object of my said invention is to provide a kiln in which the moist and heated air will thoroughly circulate among the pieces of lumber or other articles to be dried and be utilized to the utmost extent before escaping from the kiln, as will hereinafter be more particularly described and claimed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, which are made a part hereof and on which corresponding reference characters indicate similar parts, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a dry-kiln embodying my said invention; Fig. 2, a longitudinal sectional View, on a somewhat-enlarged scale, showing the arrangement of the openings into the flues through which the air and moisture escape from the kiln and the adjustable covers or doors by which they are regulated more plainly; Fig. 3, a horizontal sectional view as seen from the dotted line 3 3 in Fig. 2, and Fig. 4 a horizontal sectional view as seen from the dotted line at 4.

In my improved kiln the floor 1 contains a suitable slatted portion 2, up through which the air enters the kiln, said air being heated by any suitable system of heating-pipes (not shown) or otherwise. This slatted portion of the floor is near the end of the kiln under the pipes of the heating system, and the air consequently is compelled to travel nearly the Whole length of the kiln among said pipes before reaching the flues 3, and consequently will pass around and among the lumber being dried and will be held within the kiln until it reaches said fines (which are at the extreme end) and is thus utilized to the greatest possible entent. In other words, every heat unit radiating from the heating apparatus must travel the full length of the kiln, thus insuring a complete performance of its work and avoiding the unevenness of the op eration which results when the heated and moisture-laden air is diverted at other points. 5 5

The escape-fines 3 at the discharge end of the kiln have widened or extended lower ends, the back sides whereof run in an inclined direction from the bottom toward the top of the interior of the kiln, as shown, and the openings leading thereinto, through which the air escapes after having done its work, are positioned near this inclined side or wall of said fines. This arrangement insures a substantial equal draft at all heights from the floor, the lower ingress-opening being enough farther within the kiln to make it substantially equal in drawing power to those above, which are progressively nearer the end of the kiln, as shown. The exact regulation of the draft is obtained by means of the sliding doors 4, covering these ingress-openings, and these may be manipulated as desired by means of rods or handles 5, connecting with said doors and extending to within easy reach of the operator.

The side walls dot the kiln, as well as its roof 7, are usually formed solid and at the ends have the vertical moving gates or doors 8 and 9, which are substantially the full size of the ends of the kiln, so that cars carrying the lumber may be run in or withdrawn to the entire capacity of the kiln. These doors are hung on ropes, as l0,aud counterbalanced.

In operation when the car of lumber is first inserted into the kiln it is at once enveloped in the moist heat, which prevents the stock from case-hardening, warping, and checking. As the lumber leaves the sweating process it generally passes into a drier atmosphere and higher temperature, where the drying is com pleted. When the kiln is once charged and regulated to suit the stock being dried, the process is simple and continuous, it being only necessary to load and dischare the kiln and keep up the heat.

Having thus fully described my said invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A dry-kiln having a suitable floor, walls and roof, with doors at the ends said floor having suitable openings near one end for the admission of air, and escape-fines at the other end having widened lower ends, one side of said flues being inclined, and the exposed side extending at right angles therewith being provided with a series of closable ingress-openings arranged parallel to the inclined edge, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with a dry-kiln, of escape-fines therefor located at one end thereof, said fines having inclined rear edges and a series of adjustable closable ingress-openings near to and at equal distances from said inclined rear edges, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

EDWVARD GERRARD. [L. 8.]

Witnesses:

CHESTER BRADFORD, S. HARLEY CALVIN. 

